Punters are backing Watford midfielder Will Hughes as a surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate's England World Cup squad.

The 22-year-old produced a man of the match performance, scoring one and setting up the other as Watford beat West Ham United two-nil at the weekend.

Because the game was live on Sky Sports, plenty of football fans will have tuned in and were clearly impressed by the former U21 international's performance.

Hughes played under Southgate during his time in the U21s - which ended after the U21 European Championships in June - and will know all about the midfielder's creative abilities, something England have lacked in recent games.

Betting website Oddschecker revealed that over the weekend that 20.75 per cent of bets on the England World Cup squad market were placed on Hughes and 47.6 per cent of bets since the game kicked off at 4pm on Sunday were for Hughes.

But recent England squads have been decimated by injuries, especially to players further up the pitch, and Hughes is likely to still be a long way from Southgate's thoughts.

Hughes in action for the U21s at the summer's European Championships

Oddschecker spokesman George Elek preached caution: "There is no doubt that Southgate is happy to give youth a chance for England," he said.

"But there must be concern as to whether Hughes is getting enough game-time to force himself into the World Cup reckoning.

"Jack Wilshere missed out on the last squad for that reason, so Hughes will need plenty more performances to stake his claim for a place on the plane."